Dogs Take Excellent Care of Their Humans, Survey Confirms

Taking care of a dog is a big responsibility, but a major perk is that your pet may be taking care of you, too. A new study on American dog owners suggests that pups may be better caretakers of people than we ever realized.

The study of 2,000 dog owners by Link AKC, a smart dog collar company, found that six out of 10 survey-takers said their precious pooch takes care of them in some form or another — often in deeply personal ways. For instance, some owners said that their pet helped them make it through the end of a romantic relationship. Others even said their dog assisted them in dealing with the death of a loved one.

But dogs don't only serve as a reliable shoulder to cry on during super traumatic events. Dog lovers also maintained that their pets helped them through the day-to-day stress as well — with an average of approximately five taxing events each week. Wow! It's little wonder that dog owners have a longer life expectancy now, isn't it?

“The physical benefits of dog ownership are often the first that come to mind, but we’ve found the emotional and mental health benefits of having a furry companion are just as impactful,” said Herbie Calves, Link AKC CMO. “People consider their dogs members of their family and are looking for ways to connect and interact with them on a deeper level.”

Still need more convincing that dogs can care for you in an unparalleled way? The study also found that more than half of dog owners flake out on social events just so they can spend more time with their pets. If that's not a sign of being "man's best friend," we don't know what is!